Maggie Taraska teen pilot makes emergency landing

A pilot in training made an emergency landing on Sunday, Sept. 9, after losing a wheel during take-off.

According to Wicked Local news partner, WCVB, Beverly Regional Airport was shut down to all other traffic to give the pilot, 17-year-old Maggie Taraska, no distractions.

The Federal Aviation Administration said soon after take-off, the pilot of the single-engine, fixed-wing plane reported losing her right main wheel assembly.

“Your right main is now missing from the airplane. It has fallen off the airplane. Say your intentions,” an air traffic controller was heard saying on a recording obtained by WCVB.

“Can I circle back to land?” Taraska asked.

“Are you a solo?” air traffic control asked.

“I’m a student pilot solo,” Taraska said.

“OK. It will be OK. Just go ahead and circle the airport for now. Make a right turn and circle. We’re going to get some people out to help you,” air traffic control said.

Thankfully, air traffic control was able to get Taraska’s instructor, John Singleton, on the radio.

“Maggie, this is John. How are you doing?” Singleton said.

“I’m OK,” Taraska said.

Together, the two methodically talked through the challenging landing.

“OK, you’re doing a great job flying the airplane. Keep doing what you’re doing. We’re going to take our time here. We’ve got plenty of time. You have plenty of fuel. We’ve got plenty of daylight. So just try to relax, and you always heard me say, ‘Go back to basics,’ so we’re going to work the basics here as much as possible, OK?” Singleton said.

“Alright,” Taraska said.

“I think I’m good right now,” Taraska said.

“OK, so just like we’ve done hundreds of times before. Everything is looking good, Maggie. Keep doing what you’ve been trained to do,” Singleton said.

The plane landed safely.

“Beautiful job, Maggie. You’ve got a whole bunch of people clapping for you up here,” Singleton said.